Mumbai is staring at its most serious weather warning of the monsoon so far. The weather department has sounded the season's first red alert for the city, and it will hold through the weekend. The same alert has been extended to Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts. Between July 4 and July 6, Mumbai and the surrounding areas are expected to be hit by extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall. In view of this, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to people to stay fully alert and cautious during this stretch. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also told Mumbaikars to use the helpline numbers in any emergency. Following the red alert, many schools have already declared a holiday on Saturday.
Heavy rain has battered Mumbai all week, leaving several areas waterlogged and creating flood-like conditions. Dozens of trees came crashing down, while commuters struggled with intense traffic snarls on the roads and delays across the local train network.
How much rain fell where
The latest figures show that on the afternoon of July 3 alone, several parts of Mumbai logged more than 70 mm of rain. The highest was recorded at the Supari Tank Municipal School in Bandra at 73.8 mm, followed by Prabhadevi with 72.2 mm. Bandra West and Panvel posted 70.8 mm and 69.4 mm respectively.
A big relief for the lakes
There is a silver lining too. The heavy spell has pushed up water levels in the seven lakes at a rapid pace. On July 3, the combined water stock in these seven lakes, which are the major suppliers of Mumbai's drinking water, rose to 1.29 lakh million litres, or 8.93 per cent of their total capacity.
Between July 2 and 3, the heaviest rain fell over Tulsi Lake, which recorded 164 mm, followed by Vihar Lake with 137 mm.
The rain is expected to intensify on Saturday and could continue right through Monday.
Where the red alert applies
The weather department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts from July 4 to July 6, while the alert for Raigad district will remain in place until Sunday morning.
Keeping the red alert in mind, the BMC has urged citizens to stay watchful. It said, "Additionally, strictly follow the instructions issued from time to time by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Police." In case of an emergency, people have been advised to immediately reach the BMC helpline number 1916 for help.
The chief minister's appeal
Fadnavis said, "A forecast of heavy rainfall has been issued for Mumbai city along with the districts of Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg from July 4 to 6." He added that during this period there is also a possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall in the ghat areas of Satara, Pune and Nashik districts in central Maharashtra.
"Disruptions in local travel and some structural damage cannot be ruled out during this time," Fadnavis said. He went on, "Citizens should remain vigilant during this period. Extra caution is essential, especially when traveling in low-lying areas and on ghat roads. In emergency situations, contact local emergency numbers, as urged by the state's disaster management department."
Key helpline numbers
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation helpline number: 1916
- Palghar helpline number: 02525 297474, +91 82379 78873
- Thane Municipal Corporation helpline number: 022-25364779, 0222530 1740, 91 93723 38827
- Thane Disaster Management Cell: 1800-222-108/8657887101
- Panvel Municipal Corporation helpline number: 02227458040/41/42
Holiday for schools and colleges
Because of the red alert, schools and colleges in Thane and Navi Mumbai have been declared closed on Saturday, July 4. A similar direction has been issued for schools and colleges in Kalyan-Dombivli.
Mumbai city authorities, however, are yet to declare a holiday for schools and colleges. It is worth noting that schools in Mumbai are generally shut over the weekend. Some colleges do run on Saturdays, but the majority stay closed.
